Red tide continues to fluctuate

Turkey vultures have become a common sight around Anna Maria Island, attracted by the dead fish killed by red tide. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Medium levels of red tide are predicted through at least Monday, Dec. 10 on Anna Maria Island, according to the University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides.

The most recent FWC water samples available show these concentrations of red tide:

Red tide is a type of algae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and shorebirds that feed on affected fish, red tide makes shellfish unfit to eat, and can cause respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or other respiratory diseases.

The toxic algae bloom has been present in the southwest Gulf of Mexico for more than a year, reaching Anna Maria Island in early August.